Minute for Mission: University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
The 2007 UDTS Distance Education cohorts.
Heidi is the primary caregiver for her ailing mother. Keith runs a business with sixty-five employees. Kathy’s commitments to her large family keep her close to home. All three feel called to ministry, a call that usually entails leaving home for several years in seminary. Their stories represent many in the church who feel forced to choose between faithfulness to their families and jobs or answering God’s call to theological study.
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (UDTS) started working with distance theological education in 2000 for commissioned lay pastors (CLP). In 2007, UDTS received preliminary accreditation to offer the master of divinity degree through a combination of residential intensives and online course work. Our distance M.Div. program launched in 2007 with fifteen students from eleven states.
Our prayer is that this program will allow students from across the country and world to prepare for faithful ministry while remaining in their local context—many of our students are already engaged in ministry as CLPs or Christian educators receiving congregational as well as seminary feedback. The residential component of the distance program allows students to meet for intensive study of topics best taught face-to-face, become connected to the larger UDTS community, and build friendships. In this program, community and technology support distance students in communicating the unchanging message of the gospel in an ever-changing world.
—Richard J. Shaffer, Jr., assistant dean,
University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa
Lord, thank you for the many ways you equip us for your mission. Teach us faithfulness as we follow Christ. May you be glorified even as you bless your church in mission. Through Jesus we pray. Amen.
Isa. 40:21–31
On Eagles Wings
LUYH 87, MH 143
Ps. 147:1–11, 20c
He Is King of Kings
PH 153
1 Cor. 9:16–23
Spirit of the Living God
PH 322
Mark 1:29–39
Have Thine Own Way, Lord!
HB 302
Daily Lectionary
Ps. 103, 150 Ps. 117, 139
Isa. 57:1–13
Heb. 12:1–6; John 7:37–46 |
